(SPRINGFIELD, ILL.)—Saving money is a goal that many of us are reaching for, and the beginning of a new year is a great time to start. In 2013, the Energy Education Council encourages you to save money by using less energy.

“Becoming energy efficient doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, and you don’t need to buy anything to start saving money,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council. “To begin, all you really need is an understanding of how you use energy and how you can use less while maintaining or even improving comfort.”

The Energy Education Council has tips on how to save energy in many areas of the home this year. To get started:

Close dampers and shut doors on unused areas of the home.

Open drapes on sunny days to allow the sun to warm your home, and close them at night.

Make sure the fireplace flu is closed when not in use.

Set your thermostat lower in the winter (higher in the summer) when you can accept cooler (warmer) conditions, including nighttime and whenever you leave your home for several hours. Many people find it easier to use an Energy Star programmable thermostat that you can set to automatically adjust.

Many water heaters work all day to keep water hot. This “stand-by” water accounts for a large part of water heating costs, which can add up to 14 percent of the overall energy costs in the average home. Help decrease this cost by setting the water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees. You can also wash clothes in cold water and take shorter showers to conserve warm water.

The best way to use your clothes dryer more efficiently is to use it less. A drying rack (or for warm weather, a clothesline) can help you dry clothes without the dryer. This is also gentler on your clothes. When using the dryer do not over-dry clothes, and use a moisture-sensor if your machine has one.

Electronics use power whenever they are plugged in, even if they are not in use. To decrease the amount of energy wasted in this process, use a power strip, so you can shut off multiple electronics that are not in use.

When replacing bulbs, choose energy-saving light bulbs. CFLs and LEDs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they do not need replaced as often. Also, know how to use your light bulbs efficiently. LEDs and incandescent bulbs are not affected by being turned off, so you can turn them off whenever you leave a room. However, CFLs lives are shortened by frequent on/off switching. To preserve the lifespan of CFLs, only turn them off if you will be gone for more than 15 minutes.

When purchasing new electronics, look for Energy Star products. Some are more expensive upfront, but in the long-run you will save money through decreased energy costs.

To make your home even more efficient:

Put a water heater blanket on your older water heater to help water in the tank stay hot.

Apply rope caulk to very leaky window frames, where significant energy loss may occur from air infiltration.

In most homes, heating and cooling is the biggest portion of energy spending. For the average home, it adds up to 46 percent of the energy bill. Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to increase energy efficiency. The attic is one of the easiest and most effective places to add insulation. Find out what level of insulation is recommended for your area at EnergySavers.Gov.

Seal up the largest air leaks in your house. The worst culprits are usually plumbing penetrations, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.

Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.

Some longer term projects to think about are replacing aging, inefficient appliances and upgrading leaky windows. It is also a good idea to have your heating and cooling systems tuned up every spring and fall.

The Energy Education Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency. Established in 1952, the Council is headquartered within the University of Illinois Extension, and serves as a forum for diverse utility and energy organizations to collaborate on the mutually vital issues of efficiency and safety. Learn more at www.EnergyEdCouncil.org.